who, for fear of their shape, forbear suckling their own offspring;
and ten nurses were immediately sent for; one was whispered to have
a wanton eye, and would soon spoil her milk; another was in a
consumption; the third had an ill voice, and would frighten me
instead of lulling me to sleep. Such exceptions were made against
all but one country milch-wench, to whom I was committed, and put to
the breast. This careless jade was eternally romping with the
footman and downright starved me; insomuch that I daily pined away,
and should never have been relieved had it not been that, on the
thirtieth day of my life, a Fellow of the Royal Society, who had
writ upon Cold Baths, came to visit me, and solemnly protested I was
utterly lost for want of that method; upon which he soused me head
and ears into a pail of water, where I had the good fortune to be
drowned; and so escaped being lashed into a linguist till sixteen,
and being married to an ill-natured wife till sixty, which had
certainly been my fate had not the enchantment between body and soul
been broken by this philosopher. Thus, till the age I should have
otherwise lived, I am obliged to watch the steps of men; and, if you
please, shall accompany you in your present walk, and get you
intelligence from the aerial lackey, who is in waiting, what are the
thoughts and purposes of any whom you inquire for."

I accepted his kind offer, and immediately took him with me in a
hack to White's.


-----

White's Chocolate-house, May
13.